Saturday, July 17, 2010

Two months ago, Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva both sat down in a downtown Los Angeles law office and signed a private contract guaranteeing that her taped conversations of him, made in February, would never see the light of day.

That out-of-court settlement, which also detailed child support payments for their baby Lucia, "was superb and mutually beneficial," says a source close to the case.

The source says the agreement was in the best interests of both Grigorieva and Gibson, whom she taped allegedly threatening her and admitting to having hit her. The authenticity of the tapes is currently being examined by L.A. sheriff's detectives.

Within weeks, all hell broke loose: Both sides were slapped with restraining orders, a judge forced Grigorieva to surrender the audiotapes, and Gibson's alleged vitriol went viral.

So what happened?

Emotionally Vulnerable

"This is a case of a woman scorned," says the source. "When Oksana first met Mel, he promised her the world. Obviously things didn't work out. She ultimately felt screwed over because he wanted out of the relationship."

"Oksana is in essence a good person," the source continues, "yet someone emotionally vulnerable and profoundly naive. She let herself get swept up in this horrendous mess by listening to the wrong advice."

According to the source, Grigorieva, 40, regretted signing the May contract and sought new attorneys who advised her that they could get a better deal.

Gibson, 54, the source says, did nothing to violate the settlement.

"Because Oksana's emotionally vulnerable, she was easily manipulated," the source says. "By going on the offensive, she opened Pandora's Box by disregarding the settlement and taking the case to court, which made the case public. Compounding that, her team didn't disclose the existence of the settlement agreement, which angered the judge. It was a total disaster."

Asked why Grigorieva didn't call the cops on Gibson after he allegedly hit her in January, the source explains: "Oksana didn't want to disrupt things with Mel. She wanted to make sure Lucia was well taken care of. It was best to resolve the situation as a private family matter."

As for how this mess will all resolve: "This is a high-stakes poker game with potential crimes committed on both sides that could go either way at this point," says the source. "The gloves are completely off."

4 comments:

I really enjoy your site as it gives me a broader view of Catholicism. Thank you for that! I will say that I am surprised that you used People Mag as your source here - yikes, ugh, and gag! I'm not sure what other reputable and non-biased source there might be but People Mag would not be my choice.

Mel may well be in a very bad stage of alcoholism...his behavior certainly is indicating something very pathological. If, in fact, the tapes are authentic.And those who are pouncing upon him because of his "beliefs", whether religious or political, are just slime, as far as I'm concerned...Joy Behar took particular relish in "pontificating" about this (didn't watch it; saw it advertised...she, who doesn't believe in the Pope!!...I guess she has usurped this title and position!)This is just pathetic, for all involved.The power of the Evil One cannot be discounted, either.Holy Mary, pray for them, for us (because we are all vulnerable to the attacks of evil in whatever form)!

“How many voices in our materialist society tell us that happiness is to be found by acquiring as many possessions and luxuries as we can? But this is to make possessions into a false god. Instead of bringing life, they bring death.”- Pope Benedict XVI

"This past Wednesday I was in part of the hospital that was devoted to people who have memory problems like my father. The people here may have no idea who I am but they light up at the sight of a collar. People who cannot carry on a conversation click “on” and join in prayer as if there were little wrong with them, their faces relaxing in this moment of peace amidst the chaos of illness."- Fr. Valencheck

"The priest's life is not his own. He does not live it for himself and his personal fulfillment, but for the salvation of souls."- Fr. Richtsteig

"I am convinced that if we simply follow the liturgical books, say the texts and carry out the gestures properly, in a style continuous with our tradition, the Church’s liturgy has power the capture minds and hearts and transform them.

I starting forming this conviction before I became a Catholic through my experience of Novus Ordo Masses done in an entirely Roman traditional style, closely following the books.

The late Msgr. Richard Schuler would eventually articulate to me in words what I was experiencing in the church. "Just do what the Council asked… do what the Church asks."

Why is worship well executed according to the mind of the Church so effective?

Christ is the true Actor in the sacred action of the Church’s worship. He makes our hands and voices His own as He raises our petitions and offerings to the Father for His glory and our salvation.

Christ’s Holy Church has determined the way by which we may have this encounter with mystery in the liturgy, be taken up in the sacred action.

Although we have the right to our Rite celebrated as the Church desires, liturgy is not about me or us or even you in the pews." - Fr. Zuhlsdorf

"After celebrating Mass facing the Lord I can report these favorable effects from the priest's point of view:

1. I don't have to worry about where to look
2. I don't have to worry about what my face looks like
3. I can weep at the beauty and wonder of it all without concern
4. I can worship more freely and fully
5. I feel more at one with the people of God
6. I am on a journey to God with the people
7. I am not the focus of attention
8. The elevation of the host and the Ecce Agnus Dei have become more of a focus
9. I feel more part of the great tradition
10. I can't see who's not paying attention and feel I have to do something to get their attention back." - Fr. Longenecker

"My rector in Denver, when he was a young priest, was eating dinner at his secretary's house, a widow from Sicily. Thinking he was polite he said, 'If you wish you can call me Michael.' She stopped, put her hand on her hip, and, pointing at him with her wooden spoon, said, 'Don't think I call you Father because I think you're better than me! I call you Father to remind you who you're supposed to be and how you're going to be judged by our Lord!' He passes that lesson on to all his seminarians."- Fr. Andrew

Decalogue Against Temptation

1. Do not forget that the devil exists.
2. Do not forget that the devil is a tempter.
3. Do not forget that the devil is very intelligent and astute.
4. Be vigilant concerning your eyes and heart. Be strong in spirit and virtue.
5. Believe firmly in the victory of Christ over the tempter.
6. Remember that Christ makes you a participant in His victory.
7. Listen carefully to the word of God.
8. Be humble and love mortification.
9. Pray without flagging.
10. Love the Lord your God and offer worship to Him only.